Highlights:
• Initial winter assistance package well covered
• Alert system allows better winter response in the North
• Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2016 requires $2.48b to support 1.9 million vulnerable people in need
• Monthly food assistance increased to $21 per person until end of the year
• Livelihoods sector scores highest activity rate to date
• Security incidents impact humanitarian activities in Aarsal
People in need
Refugees get ready for winter Deteriorating socio-economic conditions and exposure to cold weather put vulnerable people, in particular refugees from Syria, at higher risk. Refugees face numerous challenges including the lack of financial means, poor shelter conditions, and less income generating opportunities. A 2014-2015 post distribution monitoring exercise enabled humanitarian partners to confirm that cash based assistance in winter does address temporary and seasonal basic needs of families as their preferred modality of assistance. The household visits confirmed that on average, a Syrian refugee family spends US$66 more per month during winter.
In November, humanitarian agencies started their winterization assistance programmes for 2015-2016, with the aim to assist up to 257,250 households (approximately 1.2 million individuals) over a four-month period, including 79 per cent Syrians, 15 per cent Lebanese and 6 per cent Palestinians. Winter cash assistance coverage will increase compared to last year, and will be provided to 210,000 households including 78 per cent Syrians, 15.4 per cent Lebanese (including returnees), 5.7 per cent Palestinians. Also, 47,500 households will receive in-kind relief items such as blankets or stoves. Shelter kits distribution and shelter rehabilitations will be provided to the most vulnerable shelters. Fuel for heating will be provided to 581 schools across Lebanon.
Although the financial requirements for this year’s interventions stand at $118 million, an increase of $23 million compared to last year, the funding level to date does not foresee major gaps in winter cash assistance.
This winter marks the fourth for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Previous heavy snow storms have sometimes led to casualties amongst refugees or caused serious damages to their shelters that were trapped in the snow; especially those living in tents or substandard shelters.
Alert system operational to ensure better winter response in the North
Based on lessons learned from the 2014 winter floods in northern Lebanon, humanitarian partners have developed an alert system and response plan to potential extreme weather events. Built on rain and snow fall accumulation, wind speed and thunder advisory, this alert system aims to anticipate, prepare for and respond to extreme weather events. It is composed of three alert levels based on the seriousness and potential impact of weather conditions. Mainly developed by the WASH sector, the system is intended to prepare organizations to respond quickly and efficiently to any extreme weather event affecting informal settlements and collective shelters. Response could include ensuring access to drinking water, undertaking desludging activities or constructing emergency latrines. Efforts are underway to expand the plan, to include basic assistance and health emergency response, and assist wider affected communities when needs are identified.
2016 Response Plan targets up to 1.9 million vulnerable people in Lebanon
For the year 2016, the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) will appeal for $2.48 billion to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to almost 1.9 million highly vulnerable individuals with acute needs. The latter are predominantly refugees from Syria in addition to vulnerable Lebanese.
Given its integrated humanitarian and stabilization nature, the LCRP seeks to invest in services, economies, and institutions in order to reach the most vulnerable communities.The protracted nature of the refugee crisis has increased the vulnerability of individuals and institutions and fostered the use of negative coping strategies and a growing dependence on external aid. For instance, 55 per cent of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon as well as 10 per cent of the Lebanese live under Lebanon’s lowest poverty line of $2.4 per day.
The LCRP 2016 will be jointly launched mid-December by Prime Minister Tamam Salam, Minister of Social Affairs Rashid Derbas, and Humanitarian Coordinator Philippe Lazzarini.